A review by laurenjodi
Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas
4.0
Secrets of a Summer Night
4 Stars
Synopsis
Annabelle Peyton is in want of a husband. She doesn't require much only that he be a peer and have sufficient funds to raise her family out of poverty. Simon Hunt is a self made man who has everything he could ever want except the one woman who will never have him - Annabelle. Can these two very different people find a way to overcome their differences for love?
Reviews
Charming and funny read with a very hunky hero but the heroine rubbed me the wrong way.
While Annabelle is in desperate straits and it is difficult not to sympathize with her circumstances, she is nevertheless not a likeable character due to her haughty, mercenary, elitist and selfish personality. She does ultimately redeem herself but it was too late for me. Simon, on the other hand, is simply perfect - honest, intelligent, sexy and sensual, understanding and accepting, loving and determined - I could go on and on but I won't. His only flaw is his attraction to Annabelle as I have no idea what he sees in her.
The plot is an enjoyable yet predictable love/hate romance with some Pride & Prejudice thrown in for good measure. The historical background on Victorian social norms are well researched and interesting, especially the descriptions of the decline of the aristocracy and the rise of the industrialist middle class. The portrayal of the difficult choices faced by women who fall outside the accepted conventions is also very apt.
The writing is good although it does lack a certain flow. I sometimes found myself re-reading lines and even entire paragraphs just to make sure I was following the action.
The real highlight of the book is the hysterically funny banter, machinations and antics of the Wallflowers. The Rounders-in-Knickers scenes still have me smiling.
Overall, an entertaining beginning to a promising series. Lillian and Marcus are up next and I look forward to seeing just how crazy they can drive each other.
4 Stars
Synopsis
Annabelle Peyton is in want of a husband. She doesn't require much only that he be a peer and have sufficient funds to raise her family out of poverty. Simon Hunt is a self made man who has everything he could ever want except the one woman who will never have him - Annabelle. Can these two very different people find a way to overcome their differences for love?
Reviews
Charming and funny read with a very hunky hero but the heroine rubbed me the wrong way.
While Annabelle is in desperate straits and it is difficult not to sympathize with her circumstances, she is nevertheless not a likeable character due to her haughty, mercenary, elitist and selfish personality. She does ultimately redeem herself but it was too late for me. Simon, on the other hand, is simply perfect - honest, intelligent, sexy and sensual, understanding and accepting, loving and determined - I could go on and on but I won't. His only flaw is his attraction to Annabelle as I have no idea what he sees in her.
The plot is an enjoyable yet predictable love/hate romance with some Pride & Prejudice thrown in for good measure. The historical background on Victorian social norms are well researched and interesting, especially the descriptions of the decline of the aristocracy and the rise of the industrialist middle class. The portrayal of the difficult choices faced by women who fall outside the accepted conventions is also very apt.
The writing is good although it does lack a certain flow. I sometimes found myself re-reading lines and even entire paragraphs just to make sure I was following the action.
The real highlight of the book is the hysterically funny banter, machinations and antics of the Wallflowers. The Rounders-in-Knickers scenes still have me smiling.
Overall, an entertaining beginning to a promising series. Lillian and Marcus are up next and I look forward to seeing just how crazy they can drive each other.